hello friends. I guess it has addressed the issue, but as I am new to the forum ... I would ask that occurs when the computer is formatted for cleaning: There is a possibility of reinstalling progamas Giveaway? or lost since. I say that as the facility is subject to a contreto day. Thank you very much.
to do when you format your computer
(9 posts) (5 voices)-
thenameipicked
MemberNo there is not. Giveaways are for the day they are given away and that day only. I'm sure that somebody somewhere has been able to hack and figure out how to do it, but we don't support it. The hope is that you like the software enough to support the developers and buy it.
Posted 11 years ago # -
ChrisS
AdministratorGOTD offers can only be installed on the day of the offer. If you reformat your drive you will not be able to reinstall them.
Unless your Windows installation is "buggy" and can't be fixed via a "repair installation" there isn't any long-term benefit in reformatting. A fresh Windows installation is faster but it slows down as you install programs. So a "new installation + programs" isn't materially better than an "old installation - unused programs". You'd be better off uninstalling programs that you don't use, running a drive cleaner, defragging the drive, removing all the autostart programs that don't need to autostart and clearing the registry of useless entries. Think about it... what does reformatting and installing Windows do... it deletes old programs, it clears the registry, it kills the unneeded autostarts and it defrags the drive. Same yourself some effort, save the GOTD programs that you want to keep, and do the cleaning yourself.
Posted 11 years ago # -
thenameipicked
MemberI have found that 90% of the time when people say that their computer is slow, its due to programs that auto-startup. Changing my dramatically improve computer responsiveness (you can use CCleaner to do it)
Posted 11 years ago # -
mikiem2
ModeratorI want to add that some developers &/or companies are stricter about the GOTD regs than others, so it can pay to save records & such from the individual offers. Ashampoo is one example, storing your keys etc. in their database so all you have to do is sign in to access them. Paragon is in between -- it's complicated... They store your key the same as Ashampoo, but you have to save the installation or setup program, & that's the part that's complicated -- I *think* because of GOTD user complaints, the GOTD setup unpacks [un-RARs] their setup files, those are run for installation, then the setup routine deletes the Paragon setup files to free up the disk space, so you have to take another step, saving them if you want them. Sometimes the company or dev is generous & provides a key that works with their regular app off their web site, sometimes for that version number no matter how many minor updates are released, sometimes for a month, sometimes the key & license are good for 6 months or a year, regardless how many versions are released.
Many of the GOTD game offers are exceptions to the general rule thenameipicked explained so well... Most I think just get expanded into the C:\Games folder by default, there is no installation really, & you just need to save a copy of the Games folder -- copying them to another version or installation of Windows does lose your saved games in most cases though.
That said, if you go through or search the GOTD forum you should find threads or discussions on where to look for stuff like program files & registry entries that *might* enable all your current apps to work in a new Windows install. Laplink I believe also sells a program to migrate all your installed software to a different [new] Windows install. Another possibility *may be* to upgrade Windows -- it only works 32 bit to 32 bit, 64 bit to 64 bit, but the newer version of Windows will try to keep all your software & settings.
Otherwise the question from my perspective is: "Why format & re-install Windows"? Personally I dislike setting up Windows & installing my software, so I do it as seldom as possible, running the same Windows installs for many years, even across different hardware. You say for "cleaning" asj13600, but I feel that in *most* cases an existing Windows install can be cleaned up just fine. It may be more work or effort, depending on how bad things have gotten, but it is usually possible.
Posted 11 years ago # -
mikiem2
ModeratorI have found that 90% of the time when people say that their computer is slow, its due to programs that auto-startup. Changing my dramatically improve computer responsiveness (you can use CCleaner to do it)
Autoruns [from Sysinternals at microsoft.com] is the 900 lb. gorilla someone usually mentions whenever talk turns to stuff that starts with Windows. The Good = it'll show you everything -- the Bad = a Lot of the time users are better off not seeing everything. :)
Myself, I tend to use Autoruns to find what's starting with Windows, then go change things somewhere else. In win7 64 I've set 3 Favorites in Regedit taking me to the 3 Run keys -- I can normally check all 3, plus the Start Menu's Startup folder in less time than it takes to fire up CCleaner or whatever. Services are a PITA. Some services can be set from [Control Panel ->] Administrative Tools -> Services, but unlike XP where setting a service to manual most always worked, win7 can sometimes be iffy -- have to test afterwards. Services that can't be set with the Services dialog or window are usually driver based, & getting rid of drivers is enough of a pain that most apps leave them installed when you uninstall that app. Doesn't help that incompatible &/or not properly installed/uninstalled drivers can prevent Windows from starting.
After a backup -- find the driver(s) in Autoruns, then right-click jump to that entry in the registry -> copy the key name, name of the file etc. into a new Notepad text file, delete that key, then search for all others using the key & then the file name etc., deleting those as well. If Windows will restart, check Autoruns & Task Mgr. to make sure it isn't still running [you might have missed something], & if it isn't, rename or move that file(s). If Windows still restarts, remove [delete] the file(s). Note: the *etc.* I mentioned is stuff like CLSID key names [e.g. {00000000-0F56-11D2-9887-00A0C969725B}].
Posted 11 years ago # -
mikiem2
ModeratorSo a "new installation + programs" isn't materially better than an "old installation - unused programs".
Personally & purely FWIW, I think a lot of the re-install Windows crowd is just expressing the unfortunately typical trait of wanting whatever Right Now. Sure you can fix something, but it's quicker/easier to run to the store & buy a new one. Sure you can fix Windows, but I can wipe the disk right now, pop in the setup disc, & it's more action than the boring process of housekeeping. :)
You'd be better off uninstalling programs that you don't use, running a drive cleaner, defragging the drive, removing all the autostart programs that don't need to autostart and clearing the registry of useless entries.
If you want to go a step [or 3] further, use Regshot2 in win7 64, regshot in 32 bit XP, recording registry changes during install -- those text files can be saved, including in the program's folder. I take it a step further using InstallWatch Pro in win7's XP Mode VM, saving everything in a folder - reg entries, lists of files added/modded, 7-zipped folders labeled as MyDocs.7z, UsrAppDta.7z, AllUsrAppDta.7z etc. Often I'll use Universal Extractor to pull the files out of the setup file, & a surprisingly large portion of the time they'll run as-is, adding whatever needed files/folders & reg entries themselves on 1st run. Much of the time the install process adds much more to the registry than the app, & uninstall or reg cleaners rarely remove those entries. Microsoft tells devs that best practice is to install any C/C++ runtimes their app uses in the WinSxS folder -- that thing gets monstrously big, fast. Yet there aren't that many different runtime versions -- you almost certainly have what you need already installed. Skipping the install routine skips that bloat too. :)
Posted 11 years ago # -
mikiem2
ModeratorBTW Chris, in a separate note, it's pretty easy to create a .reg file that deletes rather than adds entries. I didn't include it because there are some keys/values that are garbage or shouldn't be messed with, & so didn't want to encourage anyone just taking a regshot2 log & trying to delete everything months later. However at the time of a monitored install it's very often no big deal to create a .reg file for install, & mod that for uninstall.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Whiterabbit-uk
Games GuruPersonally I've never had an issue with reformatting my drives. In fact, up until the advent of the larger affordable terabyte drives first released about 3 years ago I used to format my drives at leasat twice a year. Now I just use a copy of Anvir to shut down all the auto start up items that I know I don't need. My computer still boots up in less than 30 seconds (using a SSD as the drive I have my operating system installed to) When it was a clean install it used to boot up from cold in 24 seconds or 44 seconds from the start of a restart.
I've usually ended up purchasing the giveaways i've found most useful (10+ since the project started six years ago) though I realise not everyone can afford to do that. I've actually purchased more via BitsduJour due to the generous discounts they often have.
Some of the developers whove contributed to the giveaway project over the past six years have given me free lifetime licences for posting suggestions via the idea informer box (several) and on a few occasions I've got generous discounts and a couple of freebies by asking for a reduction after losing a giveaway to a format and finding its a little too expensive to pay fiull price for, but still missing it.
You can also use SpyMe tools a free app for recording registry changes during an install.
Posted 11 years ago #
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